Thursday, 9 September 2010

Mais oui! I have at last finished 'upcycling' my latest purchase - and am really pleased with the result.

Being a bit of a francophile I enjoy bargain-hunting at French vide-greniers and brocantes and obviously needed somewhere French to store my 'trouvailles' (nice French word for 'tat'). So, bought an original French dresser from e-bay shop's the French Depot (see link below). When it arrived the dresser looked absolutely huge and very dark brown and smelt distinctly of Gauloises! It was definitely in need of a makeover after years of French 'vie'. Actually, it was in great condition with the original keys and some lovely carved detail to the base. I decided on Farrow & Ball's Dix Blue, applied a couple of coats and rubbed down with wire wool and antique brown furniture wax - et, voila!

Here is the top upon delivery.

Somehow, painted in a lighter colour the 'vitrine' now seems smaller and will look great in my new room (when I get it).

Hoping to buy more treasures soon - planning a trip to Nantes in southern Brittany to visit my son at university - seems that there are a few brocantes on to browse through that weekend - what a coincidence!

Will be loaded down on the way with all his student dictionaries that he couldn't fit in on his outgoing trip and may have a bag full of French bits and pieces on my return trip, courtesy of cheap air travel!